The Utah Mammoth have had an up-and-down season so far. Despite the inconsistency, they currently hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference and are firmly in the playoff race. With the trade deadline approaching, the front office appears ready to be aggressive in order to strengthen the roster.
Now, the Mammoth are being described as “serious suitors” for a potential $65 million blockbuster deal.
Utah Mammoth Linked to $65,000,000 Star
The player drawing all the attention is St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. He is in the third year of his eight-year, $65,000,000 contract and carries a full no-trade clause. That alone makes any potential deal complicated.
Thomas has recorded 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games for St. Louis this year.
With the Blues sitting at the bottom of the Central Division, Thomas has become a major name in trade discussions ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline.
According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, Utah has emerged as one of the most aggressive teams in pursuit. “Thomas is an ideal fit for teams just entering their windows to win, such as the Mammoth, who have emerged as a serious suitor here,” Johnston said. “He possesses strong puck skills and vision, and he can handle the challenge of facing tough competition every night. Any trade involving him will be considered a blockbuster.”
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Unlike teams chasing short-term rentals, Utah is reportedly focused on long-term core additions, as it aims to secure what would be the franchise’s first postseason appearance.
Another insider, Elliotte Friedman, added fuel to the fire. “I think it actually could potentially happen (before Friday’s deadline), and I have to say, I’m a bit surprised about that,” Friedman said. “I think it’s heated up around him a bit.”
The Blues are reportedly listening seriously. And if they move their franchise center, they’re expected to demand a massive return. The rumored benchmark? A package comparable to what the Vancouver Canucks received earlier this season for franchise defender Quinn Hughes, essentially the equivalent value of four first-round picks.
That’s a steep price.
Utah is one of the rare teams that actually has the assets to make this kind of deal work. The Mammoth still owns all of their upcoming first-round picks and has built an impressive pool of recent first-round prospects, giving them plenty of flexibility to put together an attractive package.
That said, the biggest obstacle isn’t the price; it’s Robert Thomas himself. With a full no-trade clause in place, he would have to agree to waive it for any move to happen.
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For now, Utah’s focus shifts back to the ice as they prepare to face the Capitals on Tuesday, but the trade chatter is unlikely to quiet down anytime soon.
